SPREE VS STEAL: GALÉ, PORTUGAL

Welcome to Spree vs Steal! This time, we’re inGalé, a beautiful sunny spot on Portugal’s glorious southern coast in the ever-popular region of Algarve.

If you’re looking for a destination to plan the perfect family holiday, you won’t be disappointed. We’ve found two amazing family villas, each with enough room for 12 people. One is just the job if you have some cash to splash, while the other works beautifully if you’re on a tighter budget. Take a look and see which is your idea of holiday perfection.

Beach heaven

Peaceful and just a short distance from the busy area of Albufeira, Galé is simply heaven for anyone who loves the feeling of sand between their toes.

There are three beaches to enjoy: explore the coves and secluded coast of the Praia da Galé Leste, try out watersports at the Praia da Galé Oeste and, for something in between, head to the sheltered bay of Praia do Manuel Lorenço. But one thing’s for sure: golden sand is guaranteed whichever you choose.

Not only do the beaches have bars, restaurants, watersports and sun-worshipping potential in spades, they’re also perfect for children: lifeguards to keep an eye on them and sea life for them to spot when the tide retreats.

Amenities

Galé has more than enough restaurants to make dining out as a family easy and fun. And if you like to eat together at home, you won’t have any problems picking up delicious ingredients to cook your own meals to eat out by the pool. There’s a supermarket as well as boatloads of fresh seafood brought in fresh from the Med every day.

Let’s take a look at our two rental picks in Galé, starting with the pricier of the two. But one thing’s for sure: they both give you excellent value.

When you walk into this brand new, modern masterpiece of a villa, you’ll be bowled over by the surrounding luxury. As well as being perfectly positioned near Galé’s beaches, the living space is cool, contemporary and incredibly spacious. It even has a fully-loaded games room, a sure-fire hit with the kids and where they’ll spend hours… (leaving you to relax by the pool).

Panoramic, floor-to-ceiling windows lead out to the sunlounger-strewn terrace (which also happens to have a phenomenal sea view).

“A wonderful villa which made our family holiday in Portugal one to remember”

If you’re looking for a holiday villa without the luxury price tag, then this is the answer. Unlike our first featured property’s contemporary feel, Casa Monteiro has a homely and comfortable charm just perfect for a fun, family holiday.

The hub of many family holidays is, of course, the pool. Kids love nothing more than the jump-splash-swim-climb out-repeat cycle that starts the second they arrive and doesn’t end until you’re packing their cases.

The fabulous pool and terrace area is surrounded by lush garden, ideal for enjoying the pool in complete privacy. And then there’s the outdoor dining area, complete with a barbecue.

It’s a little further away from the coast than our first pick, but the hidden Praia da Balbina is all of a 15-minute walk away. You and the family can enjoy all of this from £112 per night: what could be a better way to enjoy this sunny part of the Portugal?

Tempted by a villa holiday in Algarve? Choose from apartments, villas and more holiday homes right here on Holiday Lettings!

Jen is happiest with a pen in her hand, whether that’s at work (as a Copywriter for TripAdvisor Rentals) or in her spare time scribbling stories for her adorable nephews. She feels most at home by the sea or in the Lake District, where she can stumble upon a country pub, chat to the locals and sample any real ale on offer. At the weekends, you’ll most likely find her ringing church bells (no, not a joke) or mooching around a museum.